Disclosure - May 2021 Advertisement. Any re-shares after this date have not been asked or paid for.
This post features a review and photos of AGL Holiday Homes - beautiful dog-friendly lodges with hot tubs which can sleep up to 8 in Northumberland.
AGL Holiday Homes : Dog-Friendly Lodges with Hot Tubs in Northumberland
This post is based on our stay in Marie's Lodge with AGL Holidays in May 2021. AGL Holidays are an established North East accommodation provider and manage two lodges in Bockenfield Park, Northumberland.
When you book with AGL Holidays you have the choice of Rolo's Retreat (see here for photos) which is a 2 bed dog-friendly lodge with hot tub or Marie's Lodge where we stayed which is a 3 bed dog-friendly lodge with hot tub.
Rolo's Retreat can comfortably accommodate 4 guests and 2 dogs and Marie's Lodge can comfortably accommodate 6 guests and 2 dogs. If there are more of you, sofa beds can be made available to increase capacity - just ask. Equally, if you would like to bring more than 2 dogs, this option may be available depending on your group size, again, just ask.
Please email any enquiries to Ange@AGLHolidayHomes.co.uk
When you book with AGL Holidays you have the choice of Rolo's Retreat (see here for photos) which is a 2 bed dog-friendly lodge with hot tub or Marie's Lodge where we stayed which is a 3 bed dog-friendly lodge with hot tub.
Rolo's Retreat can comfortably accommodate 4 guests and 2 dogs and Marie's Lodge can comfortably accommodate 6 guests and 2 dogs. If there are more of you, sofa beds can be made available to increase capacity - just ask. Equally, if you would like to bring more than 2 dogs, this option may be available depending on your group size, again, just ask.
Please email any enquiries to Ange@AGLHolidayHomes.co.uk
AGL Holiday Homes is a family business and they go the extra mile to ensure all of their guests have everything they need. Their owner Ange, was born and raised in Northumberland (and still lives here) so has lots of local knowledge and will happily answer any questions or help with special requests. I think this shows in the welcome book awaiting guests in their lodge which is packed with lots of hidden gems and dog-friendly recommendations for places to visit. There were even some places in there that I'd not heard of!
You are asked to bring your own blankets to cover/protect furniture when bringing along a pet and to clean their paws before they enter the lodge (which I would hope is common courtesy).
AGL Holiday Homes : Location
AGL Holiday Homes are located on Bockenfield Park which is just before Felton in Northumberland. Bockenfield Park is a small and peaceful site and despite it's close proximity to the A1, we heard minimal noise thanks to the lovely landscaping and trees you are surrounded by.
You are literally 30 seconds from the A1 making AGL Holiday Homes extremely well located for exploring Northumberland.
You are literally 30 seconds from the A1 making AGL Holiday Homes extremely well located for exploring Northumberland.
AGL Holiday Homes : Marie's Lodge Tour
We stayed in Marie's Lodge. We were provided with comprehensive instructions in our welcome email and the lodge offers self check in which is something I always prefer as you can arrive at a time that suits you.There is a dedicated parking spot, off-road behind the lodge and I was pleasantly surprised to find that the lodge overlooks a beautiful stream and you can hear the sound of the water from the decking and hot tub which was very relaxing.
Marie's Lodge is not suitable for wheelchair users and has not been adapted to accommodate wheelchairs.
The best thing about the lodge was our sunken hot tub and wrap around decking. Heated to a lovely 40 degrees and serviced daily (in the morning), it was so lovely sitting here as the sun set in the evening. The lodge is surrounded by nature and all we could hear was the stream flowing and the birds tweeting all around us. Bliss!
The hot tub can accommodate four guests at one time and comes with a cover and a safety gate. There is a bit of a step down into the tub and no handle as such which is something to be aware of. It comes with all of the usual bubbles and lights. We loved it.
This is the view from the decking........
You open the lodge door directly into the open plan kitchen/dining/living area. What struck me at first was how light and spacious the lodge was. The ceiling height is high and the windows let in lots of light and make the most of the countryside views. Five of us stayed and we felt as if we had more than enough room.
The lounge area is nice and comfortable with a TV (you can sign into your own Netflix), comfy sofas, a fire and lots of space to relax.
The lounge area is nice and comfortable with a TV (you can sign into your own Netflix), comfy sofas, a fire and lots of space to relax.
We didn't really cook much during our stay but the kitchen has everything you need including an integrated microwave and a full size fridge/freezer. There is also a washing up kit, a welcome basket with essentials and fresh milk in the fridge for your arrival.
As per COVID guidelines, tea, coffee and sugar etc.... is provided in individual sachets (and yeah that it is fairtrade).
On booking you can add little extras too, including:
I would definitely recommend the fresh flowers - they really made a difference and brightened our stay. I like that you can easily add these when booking as it is completely hassle free.
The lodge has lots of plug sockets and we were never searching to find somewhere to plug in our phone chargers. You do need to purchase WiFi if needed (£5 per stay for multiple devices) however our 4G signal was good and we have a plan with unlimited data sharing so it wasn't really needed for us.
Marie's Lodge features three bedrooms - a large double, twin and bunk room. The bedrooms were nice and spacious and featured lots of storage. Beds were made on arrival and were nice and comfy.
Our double room featured built in wardrobes and two large bedside cabinets with plug sockets. I would say this bedroom was the best we have stayed in when compared with other lodges in terms of space.
The bed was huge width ways but it is on the shorter side when it comes to length - something to be aware of if you are tall. Our feet did dangle off the edge if we stretched out but we were ok in our normal sleeping positions.
The main bedroom has an en-suite bathroom too which is definitely another bonus.
The kids' rooms were nice and again, had more storage than what we are used to . The bunk room even had a small dressing table area. I personally didn't spend too much time in these rooms but the kids had no complaints.
There is a family bathroom too (with bath and shower) which was lovely and clean. The shower was fab.
There are radiators throughout the lodge. The lodge seemed pretty well insulated and we didn't need to use the heating system during our stay in May.
You can tell the lodge has been designed by somebody who actually uses this kind of accommodation as the layout is thoughtful. It is crazy how many times I have stayed somewhere without plug sockets next to a mirror or bed - well that has all been thought of here.
The windows really frame the views outside perfectly. Almost made the washing up enjoyable!
The stream that runs through the site is lovely and a nice place to take a stroll.
The park is overlooked by 'Time Out Tavern'. A small bar/shop with indoor and outdoor seating. You could easily sit out here with a nice glass of wine or coffee on a nice day/evening and watch over the kids playing in the park.
The tavern has just launched a new menu (see below) Find out more about the Time Out Tavern over on their Facebook page here. We didn't visit for food but the kids popped in for snacks and drinks when they were at the park which is a nice option to have.
You are just 2 minutes up the road from Felton which is famous for The Running Fox. The Running Fox is a delicious bakery / tearoom serving homemade treats in big portions. You can takeaway or eat in and I highly recommend their afternoon tea.
During lockdown, The Running Fox boosted their click + collect offerings and you can now order lots of delicious treats to collect at your convenience. We did this and enjoyed an amazing Running Fox feast back in our lodge one night and I would highly recommend you do the same. It was simply wonderful!
Find out more here: https://runningfoxbakery.co.uk/
You can feed the ducks by the river just by The Running Fox - ideal for taking little ones. There is a special walkway down by the river where you can do this.
Just across the road from The Running Fox is The Northumberland Arms Pub which is also fantastic. It has been a few years since we last visited but we have always really enjoyed the food here and it has a good reputation. As we passed I noticed they had an outdoor teepee area by the river too which looks cute.
Find out more: https://www.northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk/
Craster is beautiful and the playground and beer garden here has to offer some of the best views in Northumberland. I mention this a lot so apologies for sounding like a broken record but we have spotted both seals and dolphins off the coast here in the past - memories I will honestly treasure forever.
Craster is a fab spot for rockpooling too.
Craster is home to a smokehouse where you will find the world famous Craster Kippers and other local produce. It is well worth popping into and stocking up on a few treats to take back to the lodge. Steve recommends the mackerel pate.
After Craster, we travelled to the next village of Boulmer. Boulmer is one of the few places in Northumberland I had not visited before our stay with AGL Holiday Homes.
There isn't much in Boulmer but you should visit here for the super quiet dog-friendly beach. How beautiful! Boulmer is around a 25 minute drive from the lodge.
There is one pub/restaurant in the village - The Fishing Boat Inn. This was our first visit and it certainly won't be the last. Incredible sea views, lovely staff and delicious seafood. What more could you need? There is a children's menu available too. Find out more and read our full review here.
AGL Holiday Homes : Booking & Special Offers
There is a family bathroom too (with bath and shower) which was lovely and clean. The shower was fab.
You can tell the lodge has been designed by somebody who actually uses this kind of accommodation as the layout is thoughtful. It is crazy how many times I have stayed somewhere without plug sockets next to a mirror or bed - well that has all been thought of here.
The windows really frame the views outside perfectly. Almost made the washing up enjoyable!
We couldn't fault the lodge at all. Lovely and clean, everything we needed, plenty of plug sockets, nice outside space, parking outside, nice and spacious and comfortable interiors. I struggled to find a negative and my only one would be that I really love a coffee machine when on holiday and missed proper coffee in the morning. Also, there is no dishwasher. I am being picky there though!
AGL Holiday Homes : Bockenfield Country Park
This was our first stay at Bockenfield Country Park. We have stayed next door at Felmoor before and really like them both. Bockenfield feels smaller and quieter than Felmoor but still has brilliant facilities.
The star of the show is this brand new playground which is a very short walk from Marie's Lodge. You can't see it from the lodge but it is just around the corner. It is enclosed with a gate but be aware of the stream that runs through Bockenfield and is close by - basically, young children need to be supervised.
Our three are old enough to play by themselves and spent a good few hours here in the evening. They loved it.
The park has a brilliant pirate ship at the centre of it with other climbing frames and a zip wire too plus lots of space to run around.
The star of the show is this brand new playground which is a very short walk from Marie's Lodge. You can't see it from the lodge but it is just around the corner. It is enclosed with a gate but be aware of the stream that runs through Bockenfield and is close by - basically, young children need to be supervised.
Our three are old enough to play by themselves and spent a good few hours here in the evening. They loved it.
The park has a brilliant pirate ship at the centre of it with other climbing frames and a zip wire too plus lots of space to run around.
The park is overlooked by 'Time Out Tavern'. A small bar/shop with indoor and outdoor seating. You could easily sit out here with a nice glass of wine or coffee on a nice day/evening and watch over the kids playing in the park.
The tavern has just launched a new menu (see below) Find out more about the Time Out Tavern over on their Facebook page here. We didn't visit for food but the kids popped in for snacks and drinks when they were at the park which is a nice option to have.
AGL Holiday Homes : Are they for you?
I think AGL Holiday Homes offer really great value for money. Some UK staycation prices have gone through the roof this year but AGL Holiday Homes still seem really reasonable.
I love the location of the lodge for exploring Northumberland and I would 100% recommend staying here, especially if you have kids (who will love the on site park) and a dog and are looking for somewhere with lots of space and a hot tub.
When you stay with AGL Holiday Homes you are supporting a local small business which also feels nice. I love the personal service received and you are actually liasing with the property/business owner who really cares about your stay rather than an agent. They take feedback seriously and ask for feedback (good and back) on departure so they can continue to provide the best service.
If you are looking for a site with lots of facilities (eg a swimming pool / entertainment), I would probably recommend looking elsewhere. Bockenfield Country Park is more somewhere to stay for a relaxing break in the country than somewhere where there is loads going on.
I love the location of the lodge for exploring Northumberland and I would 100% recommend staying here, especially if you have kids (who will love the on site park) and a dog and are looking for somewhere with lots of space and a hot tub.
When you stay with AGL Holiday Homes you are supporting a local small business which also feels nice. I love the personal service received and you are actually liasing with the property/business owner who really cares about your stay rather than an agent. They take feedback seriously and ask for feedback (good and back) on departure so they can continue to provide the best service.
If you are looking for a site with lots of facilities (eg a swimming pool / entertainment), I would probably recommend looking elsewhere. Bockenfield Country Park is more somewhere to stay for a relaxing break in the country than somewhere where there is loads going on.
AGL Holiday Homes : What's On Your Doorstep?
You are just 2 minutes up the road from Felton which is famous for The Running Fox. The Running Fox is a delicious bakery / tearoom serving homemade treats in big portions. You can takeaway or eat in and I highly recommend their afternoon tea.
During lockdown, The Running Fox boosted their click + collect offerings and you can now order lots of delicious treats to collect at your convenience. We did this and enjoyed an amazing Running Fox feast back in our lodge one night and I would highly recommend you do the same. It was simply wonderful!
Find out more here: https://runningfoxbakery.co.uk/
You can feed the ducks by the river just by The Running Fox - ideal for taking little ones. There is a special walkway down by the river where you can do this.
Just across the road from The Running Fox is The Northumberland Arms Pub which is also fantastic. It has been a few years since we last visited but we have always really enjoyed the food here and it has a good reputation. As we passed I noticed they had an outdoor teepee area by the river too which looks cute.
Find out more: https://www.northumberlandarms-felton.co.uk/
When you stay with AGL Holiday Homes, you also have Northumberland Zoo on your doorstep and it is just a few minutes drive away. The zoo is on a much smaller scale than somewhere like Edinburgh/Chester and I would describe it more as a farm park with the addition of a few exotic animals. It is a brilliant day out though and I would definitely recommend. Don't miss the snow leopards and the cheeky lemurs! There are indoor and outdoor areas to be enjoyed so ideal for when the weather is changeable (which lets face it, in Britain is every day.
Find out more here: https://www.northumberlandzoo.co.uk/
Find out more here: https://www.northumberlandzoo.co.uk/
AGL Holiday Homes : Where Did We Visit?
We stayed during term time and Steve and I took some time off. We still took the kids to school as normal. We have done this a few times now and would recommend. Steve and I feel like we get some nice child-free time and the kids feel like they are on holiday after school and love going in the hot tub / playing in the park in the evenings. As you are so close to the A1, commuting is easy (we were there and back in less than an hour).
We had an urge to visit Craster which is one of our favourite places in Northumberland. It is around a 30 minute drive from the lodge. Craster does get busy on weekends and visiting mid-week during term time is actually better in my opinion (as there is no stressing over finding a car parking space).
You can read our guide to visiting Craster here.
We had an urge to visit Craster which is one of our favourite places in Northumberland. It is around a 30 minute drive from the lodge. Craster does get busy on weekends and visiting mid-week during term time is actually better in my opinion (as there is no stressing over finding a car parking space).
You can read our guide to visiting Craster here.
Craster is beautiful and the playground and beer garden here has to offer some of the best views in Northumberland. I mention this a lot so apologies for sounding like a broken record but we have spotted both seals and dolphins off the coast here in the past - memories I will honestly treasure forever.
Craster is a fab spot for rockpooling too.
Craster is home to a smokehouse where you will find the world famous Craster Kippers and other local produce. It is well worth popping into and stocking up on a few treats to take back to the lodge. Steve recommends the mackerel pate.
After Craster, we travelled to the next village of Boulmer. Boulmer is one of the few places in Northumberland I had not visited before our stay with AGL Holiday Homes.
There isn't much in Boulmer but you should visit here for the super quiet dog-friendly beach. How beautiful! Boulmer is around a 25 minute drive from the lodge.
There is one pub/restaurant in the village - The Fishing Boat Inn. This was our first visit and it certainly won't be the last. Incredible sea views, lovely staff and delicious seafood. What more could you need? There is a children's menu available too. Find out more and read our full review here.
AGL Holiday Homes : Other Places To Visit
As mentioned earlier, AGL Holiday Homes is extremely well located for exploring Northumberland. You are especially close to Morpeth (a lovely market town with a brilliant play park, steppy stones across the river and boats to hire) and Alnmouth which is a charming village with lots of local tearooms / businesses and another beautiful beach. You are just straight up the A1 to Alnwick too and obviously, Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Gardens are definitely worth a visit.
Here are some other recommendations for places to visit during your stay. Click on the links for more information:
Here are some other recommendations for places to visit during your stay. Click on the links for more information:
If you are staying with your dog, make sure you check out this post too:
AGL Holiday Homes : Booking & Special Offers
AGL Holiday Homes do not have a website as such, the best place to keep up-to-date with their offers and availability in via their Facebook page here: facebook.com/AGLHolidayhomes. They sometimes post last minute deals / cancellations here so it is worth giving them a follow and keeping your eyes peeled.
They do have a booking widget where you can instantly check prices and availability - click here to check prices and dates / book.
Finally, if you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to contact Ange on Ange@AGLHolidayHomes.co.uk
There are a few t&cs to be aware of (correct as of May 2021 and subject to change). The main ones include:
- A deposit is required within 24 hours of your booking being confirmed with the final balance due 4 weeks before your stay
- Arrival time is after 3pm and departure is 10am
- An £80 refundable breakage / damage deposit will be added to your booking and returned within 7 days of your stay
Cancellation policy:
Cancellation by the Holidaymaker
Cancellation of the booking by the holidaymaker should be made in writing via email and addressed to:
Angela Lowes
ange@aglholidayhomes.co.uk
In the event of a cancellation, we will attempt to re-let the property and if successful, a discretionary payment may be made. However, we strongly recommend you take out holiday cancellation insurance.
Cancellation by the Property Owner
The property owner will endeavour to make sure the stated property is available for the dates contracted. In the unlikely event the property becomes not available and the property owner has to cancel the booking, the property owner will endeavour to find the holidaymaker suitable alternative accommodation. If suitable alternative accommodation cannot be found, the holidaymaker shall be entitled to a full refund. The property owner shall only be liable to return the monies received. No compensation or consequential losses shall be paid.
We had a brilliant stay with AGL Holiday Homes but don't just take our word from it, you can read other customer comments and review here.
No comments
Post a Comment